MALDON'S Plume Academy students are celebrating winning their way through to their dreams today – despite having been denied the chance to prove themselves in final exams.

Triumph for many of the A-level and AS-level pupils at the academy's Sixth Form came when they collected their results this morning (Thursday 13 August) and found that the vast majority of Year 13 had secured the grades to progress onto their first-choice university or apprenticeships, as well as into employment.

And Plume's Principal, Carl Wakefield, who spoke of his pride in his pupils, vowed that the academy would be looking at appealing grades for disappointed students as soon as the Government clarifies how to get mock exam results taken into account.

While the academy, like other schools and colleges across the country, adopted a meticulous approach over a 10-week period to produce fair grades for their students, examination boards applied their own calculations to generate final student grades in each of their subjects. This makes comparing results with previous years and other providers pointless this year.

Top performing students at the Plume Academy were:

•Molly Lacey who secured an A* in Psychology, an A* in the Extended Project Qualification, an A in English Literature and a B in Chemistry

•George Hendry who secured an A* in Maths, an A in Chemistry, an A in Physics, an A in History and an A grade at AS in Further Maths

•Isabel Emmett who secured an A in Chemistry, an A in Maths, a B in Biology and an A grade at AS in Further Maths

•Beth Evans who secured an A in Biology, an A in Psychology, a B in Chemistry and a C in English Language

The academy, in Fambridge Road, Maldon, was also especially delighted with outcomes in the following subject areas, with well over 50 per cent of grades at A*-B or equivalent: Art and Design, Fine Art, Photography, Chemistry, Philosophy, Physical Education, Spanish and BTEC Sport and Dance.

Twenty-five per cent plus of the grades in seven other subject areas were also graded at A*-A with a number of other subjects securing impressive grades.

Carl Wakefield, Principal of Plume Academy said, "First of all, it was absolutely fantastic to see so many of our college students after not doing so since March and as expected, they conducted themselves in their usual dignified, mature, sensible and articulate manner.

"This was especially impressive in light of the unprecedented period that saw their right to actually finish their respective courses and sit their examinations withdrawn, plus the recent events in Scotland and the 11th hour 'triple lock' debacle.

"I am immensely proud, not only of this fantastic cohort of students, but also our tremendous team of staff who have also worked so hard and in collaboration with them throughout their post-16 journey.

"They too are a credit to themselves as are our students' families, who throughout the courses, as well as the lockdown period, have been nothing but positive and supportive."